HAY AND PASTURE PLANTS RECOMMENDED. 438 
Gama Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides). 
The writer, while making a field inspection of the central Texas 
ranges, looking up their native grasses and forage plants, discovered 
a few bunches only of a stout, coarse, branching perennial, and was 
much impressed with the idea of its probable value for pasture pur- 
poses. It was growing in large bunches from masses of stout roots, 
the stems and their broad leaves being numerous and from 4 to 6 feet 
high. During the year 1898 the bunches found growing in a low, 
rich, moist valley were watched with the view to securing seeds for 
tests in the grass garden. Abundant seed heads formed, but none of 
the seeds matured before the frosty autumn weather came on. Again, 
in 1899, the seed development was watched, and some seeds gathered, 
but, as in the year before, they were not matured. These facts seemed 
to demonstrate that the gama grass could not be propagated through 
seed grown in the section, and steps were taken to propagate it by use 
of the roots. <A few of the large roots were dug up, cut into small bits, 
and planted in drills in the grass garden. This was in the autumn of 
1899. Again, in the spring of 1900, other small roots were planted. 
In each case the root development was surprisingly great and quick. 
By the beginning of the autumn of 1900 the roots had largely multi- 
plied and the stems were from 3 to 5 feet high. One planting was 
made on a rocky hillside, the other in low, flat, rich ground. The 
growth in the valley was more vigorous than that on the higher land, 
but the latter was strong and vigorous. The suggestion is made that 
central Texas stockmen and farmers can use this grass to excellent 
advantage in their efforts to improve their lowland pastures. From 
early spring till late in the autumn the leaves continue green. The 
stems are coarse and harsh, and the gama grass hay is not nearly as 
satisfactory as that of many other native grasses. The roots, however, 
penetrate deeply into the ground, and being very close, compact, and 
tough, the grass will stand much dry weather and rough pasturing. 
GRAMA GRASSES. 
For pasture purposes throughout central Texas curly mesquite is 
believed to be entitled to the first rank. Next follow, in the order 
named, buffalo grass and needle grass, and then come the three gramas 
that are native to the section. As to their relative merits it is not 
easy todecide. In the matter of quantity in central Texas blue grama 
and side oats grama are more abundant over a larger area than the 
black grama. 
Buack Grama (Hilaria mutica). 
As far back as early in the eighties the Iatan Valley in Mitchell 
County was covered with a heavy growth of this grass. The stiff red 
soil seemed to be peculiarly favorable to its growth. All that section 
